Jazz Bass Alternatives?

[Bisounourse]

I think in summary what I am most interested in is:

- A Jazz Bass that perhaps isn't a Fender-Shaped-Object (I'm not convinced it's just a weight thing)

- But still something that Marcus Miller would play and sound awesome on.

Why not go for a Sire / Marcus Miller bass then?

It has his name on it, he plays them live and they are not that expensive.

 

[javi_bassist]

$0,02....(YMMV)

That could be it. And not because it's a Squier Jazz, either. Single coil jazz pickups are often microphonic to an extent, they can bring out the baked-in character of a bass. Meaning that two chunks of wood screwed together don't always resonate the same exact way. The s/c's can "hear" those differences, then send that data down the signal chain, along with some other extraneous noises.

You mentioned Marcus M. Maybe go active EQ to get closer to his sound. You might try a decent preamp-EQ-driver pedal instead of tossing money at different basses.

For a different bass altogether that has an amazing spread of useful sounds on tap, you might look for one of these older Yamahas, a BB-604/605. They came factory-equipped with the powerhouse Nathan East electronics. I almost can't believe how great mine sounds. Best part?...they don't cost much. And it's a Yamaha!

Here's some pics to help ignite your GAS burner. (well maybe) Good luck.


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Man, I had a BB605 that I sold and I regret it. One of the best five string basses I ever played (and I also have a BB735)

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Sounds like you need a Sire V7 Ash Reissue or Next Gen.

 

[H13]

Why not go for a Sire / Marcus Miller bass then?

It has his name on it, he plays them live and they are not that expensive.

Sounds like you need a Sire V7 Ash Reissue or Next Gen.

Yeah these are high on the list.

I feel like I'm opening a can of worms here...

But how do the Sires compare to the Fenders? Not just in terms of "quality" but more in terms of physical differences?

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Yeah these are high on the list.

I feel like I'm opening a can of worms here...

But how do the Sires compare to the Fenders? Not just in terms of "quality" but more in terms of physical differences?

I've owned both. The Sire was equally well built as the Fender. Some would say even better. The Sire gives you that No Marcus Sound instantly with that preamp.
If you prefer Fender on the headstock , a Japan model Fender Marcus Signature model is a great option. You might have to add your preferred preamp/ pickups. But a lot of these have been modded to taste. Some find the standard fender electronics too tame.

If you want that Marcus look of white blocks , you'll have to get the Fender or the Sire V7 Reissue or buy used. The Next Gen has black blocks, roasted neck and some other slight differences like frets ect.

I've seen Marcus live several times and he sounds just as good on his old Fender as he does on his Sires fretted and fretless. He plays them all and no one is complaining when he switches over from the Fenders to the Sires and vice versa.

 

[Malak the Mad]

But how do the Sires compare to the Fenders? Not just in terms of "quality" but more in terms of physical differences?

Doing some research and nailing down what feels "right" in your hands might be a good start. For better or for worse, not all Jazz basses are created equal. (And, no. I am not talking about price, brand, country-of-origin or any subjective perceptions of "quality".) Fortunately, both Fender/Squier and Sire publish their specs.

While there are many variations when it comes to physical dimensions and such, they should only be a guide or a starting point. Both low-cost gems and high-priced clunkers can come your way, so keep a discerning eye open.

 

[IanStephenson]

Thread closed.

I'ma get me one of those. I just looked one up and they're very reasonably priced.

HOWEVER:

They're also a bit tricky to find.

BBG4?

It's a lower end model, but that leaves budge to replace the pickups if you want. This pic isn;t mine but I've got one exactly like it, and it's great to play. They also come in Blue. The flame top is fake but looks pretty good from any distance.

 

[One Way]

I've owned a Squier VM 70's Jazz, a Sire V7 in natural ash (an excellent bass with a beefier neck than the Squier), a G&L JB Tribute which also played and had great tone - I used it when recording several songs currently on streaming platforms. The Sire and G&L both felt better than the Squier although I didn't think my Squier was bad, it just had an incredibly thin neck which was very subject to string tension.

However, I recently got a new Fender American Professional II Jazz bass and it plays and sounds amazing! The best Jazz bass I've played to date, and it weighs 8.5 pounds. I never cared for the tone of any previous Jazz basses with both pickups open, I always backed the bridge or neck pickup off slightly to improve tone. However, this Am Pro II Jazz with both pickups wide open is magical (in my opinion, YMMV).

 

[atquinn]

YO!

Just spitballing some ideas here...

However I recently did some recording with my Yamaha BB734. WAS GLORIOUS. But there was a bit where a Jazz Bass was the better option. So I switched over to my Squier CV.

...

Honestly, it felt like I was playing a floppy twig. It sounded right! But man it felt awful to play.

Which surprised me because when I got this bass in particular I thought: "Aha! I found it! I am a Jazz Bass guy!' and it seems to perhaps not be the case...

That being said, I am very aware that it says "Squier" on the headstock. Squier have been great recently! But maybe the build quality of my Yamaha has just made me hyper-aware of the shortcomings of the Squier (Or maybe I bought a turkey and didn't realise it at the time )

ANYWAYS.

The fact that the Jazz Bass tone succeeded where the P\J did not has demonstrated that it is definitely worth having a Jazz Bass laying around. Also, Marcus Miller has probably the best bass tone on the planet (IMHO) so aside from the practical perspective, I definitely like having a Jazz bass around.

But since the Squier seems to be "not the right thing" (in hindsight), I am curious about other Jazz basses, and especially Jazz Bass alternatives. Basically I'm keen on basses which have 2 single coil pickups, but after that I'm open to suggestions.

So for giggles...

If the romance between me and my Jazz bass has gone, what are some other things I should consider?

It seems to me you're looking for a Jazz-type pickup arrangement with a more Precision style-neck. And maybe non-offset? Like the G&L MJ4. Unfortunately, that is also a model that isn't currently made. I can't think of any production bass out there that is essentially a non-offset Jazz bass with a P-style neck.

 

[DonaldR]

Can't say that I've ever thought of my Squier VM jazz bass as being a floppy twig. It's actually my heaviest bass and among the most solidly built.

+1
My Squier VM Jazz 5 is as good as most Fender Jazz 5 I played.

But I understand OP, a Jazz bass feels "floppy twig" compared to my ESP/LTD Surveyor 5 and my Yamaha TRBX-505.

@OP maybe add a East J-Tone preamp to your Jazz bass, will not remove the "floppy twig" but it will add a bit of authority to your sound.

 

[DonaldR]

I think in summary what I am most interested in is:

- A Jazz Bass that perhaps isn't a Fender-Shaped-Object (I'm not convinced it's just a weight thing)

Then try to find this Yamaha bass:

 

[BassBrass]

I found my ultimate jazz bass in a Mark Bass Gloxy 5, don't knock it until you've tried it! Different than Fender etc the neck is chunky (more like a P and the body isn't offset) but I think that accounts for some of it's efficiency- notes jump out full freq, the active preamp and tone controls are excellent too.
Another highly touted option now is, apparently, the Charvel Pro Mod San Dimas

 

[toastw]

More BB604 porn

 

[BassicJazzy]

Give the Sadowsky MetroExpress a try. It's reasonably priced and quality is excellent, and the preamp is outstanding. It's not super light but since you are used to the Yamaha that shouldn't be an issue for you.

 

[atquinn]

I found my ultimate jazz bass in a Mark Bass Gloxy 5, don't knock it until you've tried it! Different than Fender etc the neck is chunky (more like a P and the body isn't offset) but I think that accounts for some of it's efficiency- notes jump out full freq, the active preamp and tone controls are excellent too.
Another highly touted option now is, apparently, the Charvel Pro Mod San Dimas

I wish Charvel made a 4 string version of the JJ Pro Mod (with a rosewood fretboard).
Gloxys are in the local GC and I tried them a couple times. They feel too "glossy" for me .

 

[pbass2]

Maybe it was mentioned already, but check out the MTD Kingston Saratoga. It's MTD's "Jazz Bass". So ergonomically comfy, the neck is to die for, great balance. Excellent B string if you're looking for a fiver. I got mine with the Bartolini/Hipshot upgrades which is killer, but stock they're great as well. Kingston Saratoga — Michael Tobias Design . Limited color choices w the new ones, but if you get the previous version (which I have) there's also black burst and a cherry burst.
I have a Sadowsky Metroline as well (MIJ, a really good one) and it's a toss up as to which I grab these days.

 

[logdrum]

A passive jazz bass and making it work is a thing that goes beyond branding, You really only have to have a neck that works for you and no fret issues and stable. Laura Lee is the best example of this. Beyond that is salad dressing.

Here's my experience on improving a lowly Squier Jazz Bass:

I got a Squire 5 string Vintage Modern
It had a easy playing neck
And the bass body that I really like have a lot of Maple ( body neck and fretboard ) but it was not as light. My Pedulla Buzz is also all maple,

First Level the frets ( done by a pro)
Improve the anchor points and friction points meaning better bridge not and why not improve the tuners and nut, Bridge was also adjustable and brought back 19mm instead of 18 mm/ Hipshots were used.

Next was putting an active preamp. To me liek what happened with the power Stratocaster is paralleled by the active Jazz bass. Sadowsky started this trend in NYC a long time ago -- He was about improving the Jazz bass by adding EQ among other things -- that's how Marcus Miller improve his jazz bass.

For aestetics - I really did not want to drill a side input jack and want it to look stealth, So instead I got me an active stacked Bass and treble -- enter the EMG BTC
Might as well improve the pickups, so I got EMG Alnico Extended Headroom Jazz bass pickups - JAX5
Modest and understated, Very giggable - works with many styles. total spent under 700
With Cobalts
With TI Flats

 

[Metal Sombreros]

Rickenbacker, Thunderbird, MM sterling

 

[ghostdog93]

Just my two copper - if this is a "feel" thing for you, as in your Squier doesn't feel good to play, then I'll humbly suggest you go feel a whole bunch of other basses. In real life, in the flesh sorta thing.

You may think you're after a particular tone, or style, or whatever else, but if the bass doesn't sit well in your hands, none of the other stuff matters.

 

[BassBrass]

I wish Charvel made a 4 string version of the JJ Pro Mod (with a rosewood fretboard).
Gloxys are in the local GC and I tried them a couple times. They feel too "glossy" for me .

Yeah, it was pretty glossy but now has DeAdadario (sp?) black tapes and they reduce the gloss to a usable edge (tone wise), I mean, that's what I want from a Jazz, that midrange voice that stands out. I also got a conservative tobacco sunburst which works well with the headstock, kind of bronze color.